ST. JOHN BERCHMANS SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA REV. PETER MANGUM PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY SEPTEMBER 4 – 15, 2017
Monday, September 4 (Day 1)– USA/ROME/CATANIA Depart U.S. for Italy.
Tuesday, September 5 (Day 2) – CATANIA Arrive at Fiumicino Airport. After going through passport control, you will be met by your tour escort and board your connecting flight to Catania. Upon arrival you will be met by a private motor coach that will take you to your hotel. Check-in at UNA Palace Hotel. Afternoon guided tour of the main city sites and Mass at the Cathedral of St. Agatha. Dinner at hotel. (D)
Wednesday, September 6 (Day 3) – CATANIA/MT. ETNA/TAORMINA/CATANIA Breakfast at hotel. Departure for a half day excursion of Mt. Etna by bus. Lunch at Ristorante Bella Blu which overlooks Taormina. Afternoon guided tour of Taormina and Mass at the Church of St. Catherine and free time for shopping. Return to Catania. Dinner on own (B,L)
Thursday, September 7 (Day 4) – CATANIA/PIAZZA ARMERINA/AGRIGENTO Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Departure for Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the Roman Villa del Casale, which dates back to the 3rd century AD. Lunch on own. Afternoon departure for Agrigento and check-in at Colleverde Park Hotel. Guided tour of Agrigento’s spectacular Greek temples. Dinner at hotel. (B,D)
Friday, September 8 (Day 5) – AGRIGENTO/MARSALA/ERICE/BALESTRATE Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Departure for Mass in the city of Marsala, followed by a typical local wine-tasting and light lunch. Continue on to Erice for a guided tour which offers one of the most spectacular views in Sicily. Departure for Balestrate and check-in at Marina Holiday Resort & Spa. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)
Saturday, September 9 (Day 6) BALESTRATE/MONREALE/PALERMO/CEFALU Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Departure for Monreale for a guided tour of the magnificent Norman Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in Italy, and then off to Palermo for a guided tour of the main city sites, to include the splendid cathedral, where we will have Mass. Lunch on own and free time to shop. Continue on to Cefalù and check-in at Hotel Le Calette. Dinner at hotel. (B,D)
Sunday, September 10 (Day 7) – CEFALU Breakfast at hotel. Departure for a guided tour of Cefalù, another ancient city and one of the most visited in Sicily and have Mass in the splendid Norman Cathedral. Lunch on own and free time to enjoy the lovely beach. Dinner at hotel. (B,D)
Monday, September 11 (Day 8) – CEFALU/PALERMO/ROME Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Departure for airport for flight back to Rome. Check-in at Hotel Atlante Star. Lunch on own. Afternoon guided tour of the Basilicas of St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran, where you will have Mass. Dinner at Ristorante Mamma Venerina. (B,D)
Tuesday, September 12 (Day 9) – ROME Breakfast at hotel. Departure for Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica followed by a SCAVI tour beneath the basilica. Lunch on own. Afternoon free to shop for religious articles to have blessed by the Holy Father during the Wednesday papal audience. Dinner at Ristorante Venerina al Borgo. (B,D)
Wednesday, September 13 (Day 10) – ROME Breakfast at hotel. Departure for St. Peter’s Square to attend the papal audience with Pope Francis. Lunch on own. Afternoon departure for a walking guided tour of the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Pantheon, followed by Mass at the tomb of St. John Berchmans at the Church of St. Ignatius and a tour of the saint’s rooms. Dinner at Ristorante Cecilia Metella. (B,D)
Thursday, September 14 (Day 11) – ROME Breakfast at hotel. Departure for a guided tour of Ancient Rome, to include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter in Chains, where Michelangelo’s statue of Moses is displayed and where you will have Mass. Lunch on own and afternoon free. Farewell dinner at Ristorante Benito. (B,D)
Friday, September 15 (Day 12) – ROME/USA Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Departure for Fiumicino Airport for return flights home. (B)
Your trip cost includes:
Round-trip airfare from Shreveport to Rome Airfare from Rome to Catania and Palermo to Rome Airport taxes, surcharge and security Hotel accommodations: 2 nights – Catania, 1 night – Agrigento, 1 night – Balestrate, 2 nights - Cefalu, and 4 nights - Rome Deluxe private A/C motor coach throughout your trip Licensed local English-speaking guides Tour escort throughout your trip in Italy All entrance fees to sights where indicated All breakfasts Lunch and dinners where indicated Whisper sets during tours Tipping & gratuities to guides, driver, escort & hotel staff
Not included:
Items of personal nature Travel insurance
TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE: $4,699.00 per person in double occupancy For a single room, add $750.00
Itinerary subject to change in the best interest of the group